MotherWoman Press Releases

4/25/13 - Amy Olson Receives Community Service Award from MotherWoman

2013-04-29T15:17:17Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact – Liz Friedman, Program Director, MotherWoman

                    Office: 413-387-0703
                    Cell: 413-658-8231
                    liz@motherwoman.org

AMY OLSON RECEIVES COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD FROM MOTHERWOMAN

Hadley, MA – April 25, 2013

MotherWoman, a regional non-profit serving mothers, is proud to announce that MotherWoman’s annual Community Service Award will be awarded to Amy Olson, Clinical Director of Clinical and Support Options in Franklin County. Ms. Olson is one of the primary leaders of the Franklin Perinatal Support Coalition (FCPSC), and has been instrumental in addressing issues of perinatal emotional complications, such as postpartum depression and anxiety, in Franklin County.

Ms. Olson has worked tirelessly to ensure that women who are experiencing the effects of postpartum depression, domestic violence, and addictions are not only supported, but have an entire network of support wrapped around them to ensure their well-being, safety and health, and that of their families.

Working in partnership with other providers in Franklin County, Ms. Olson has seen to it that women in Franklin County have the resources they need, and that providers who serve pregnant and postpartum mothers have the training necessary to succeed in screening and treating women with perinatal emotional complications. Ms. Olson has offered strategic leadership in the development of a Postpartum Support Group for mothers in Franklin County. Thanks in large part to Ms. Olson’s leadership, the FCPSC has transformed the Franklin County Community in terms of how the professional community serves families during the vulnerable months leading up to the birth of a child and in the years following. The FCPSC has partnered with Primary Care and Pediatric offices, Baystate Franklin Medical Center, and outpatient mental health and crisis teams to support training, early screening, and high quality treatment options across the spectrum of providers.

This year the FCPSC is focusing their attention on the intersection of pregnancy with domestic violence, sexual assault and addiction.

Research shows that 10 – 20% of mothers experience postpartum depression (PPD). These numbers drastically increase when additional risk factors like poverty, domestic violence, addiction and teen pregnancy are taken into consideration. When undiagnosed and untreated, PPD can have severe negative effects on mother, infant and birth outcomes, including low birth weight of infant, and social, emotional and cognitive developmental challenges to babies and children. This results in an increase in medical expenses, visits to the ER and loss of income to families. In the 4 county region of western MA there are approximately 9000 births each year. Therefore there is a minimum of 900 – 1800 women suffering with PPD each year in our region alone.

Beth Spong, Executive Director of MotherWoman, said, “Amy exemplifies MotherWoman’s vision of community leadership and we couldn’t have picked a better person to receive this award or a better partner to work with. Amy’s commitment to mothers has been transformative for the larger community.”

Karin Jeffers, Executive Director of Clinical and Support Options said, “Amy provides exceptional personal dedication and a commitment to excellence in bringing communities together at the grassroots level. A prime example of this is her work on the Franklin County Perinatal Support Coalition. While it could be said that promoting collaborative relationships in the community is part of her job – she doesn’t do it as a job – she does it as a passion.”

Linda Jablonski, Assistant Nurse Manager of The Birth Place, Baystate Franklin Medical Center, said, “Amy is passionate about creating a safety net for women in Franklin County. She never ceases to explore new avenues to be sure that we as a community offer the best care possible. The Birth Place is grateful to have mental health partners like Amy in our community.”

Amy Olson said, “I am honored to receive this award from MotherWoman although it is not I alone who have led the way for women in Franklin County. This is truly an award that the entire Franklin County Perinatal Support Coalition deserves. It has been hand in hand with the other wonderful providers and professionals in Franklin County that we have made such a difference for mothers.”

Amy will receive the award at MotherWoman’s Annual Breakfast on Wednesday, May 1^st at 8:30am at the Log Cabin, Holyoke, MA. Press is invited to attend. To RSVP contact, Liz Friedman at Liz@motherwoman.org.

About the Franklin County Perinatal Support Coalition:

The Franklin County Perinatal Support Coalition joined together in November 2009 to create a comprehensive safety net for all mothers during the perinatal period, and is part of the Western MA Perinatal Support Coalition Network. These regional coalitions each implement the Community-Based Perinatal Support Model (CPSM) in partnership with MotherWoman. The goal of the CPSM is to address the public health challenges of perinatal emotional complications like postpartum depression and anxiety through coordinated efforts across multi-disciplinary approaches to care. Through a sequencing of the following interventions -- public education, professional training, resource and triage protocols, support groups and universal screening – the CPSM allows communities to meet the challenge of addressing the critical public health crisis of perinatal mood disorders. Each coalition does this through coordinated community-wide protocols and interventions. The MA PPD Commission, which is a governor-appointed commission mandated in the Postpartum Depression Law of 2010, is investigating this model further and is interested in replicating it state-wide.

6 goals set and accomplished over the last 2 years:

1. Established a local weekly free support group run by MotherWoman trained facilitators; free childcare provided

2. Developed a Resource and Referral Guide for mothers seeking emotional help during pregnancy and postpartum

3. Developed and implemented a comprehensive screening program to include prenatal through the first year postpartum.

4. Developed triage protocols

5. Offered ongoing professional training for all providers in Franklin County

6. Established same day access and urgent psychiatry appointments for women with perinatal emotional complications at CSO’s Outpatient Clinic

About MotherWoman:

MotherWoman serves mothers and families in all four counties of Western MA in three ways:

Supporting and Empowering Mothers through MotherWoman support groups and training community leaders and professionals to facilitate groups for mothers across the region.
Building Community Safety Nets for women and families struggling in the postpartum period by training medical, mental health and social service professionals about postpartum depression and anxiety. They also develop and lead county-based multi-disciplinary coalitions in implementing their nationally recognized Community-based Perinatal Support Model.
Impacting Family Policy by engaging mothers, fathers and caregivers in taking action on policies that impact families.

For more information contact:

Liz Friedman

office 413-387-0703

cell 413-658-8231

Liz@motherwoman.org

2/25/13 MotherWoman to Seek New Leader

2013-02-26T17:28:58Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2/25/2013

Contact – Beth Spong, Executive Director

                    Office: 413-387-0703
                   Cell: 413-320-2401
                    beth@motherwoman.org

MOTHERWOMAN TO SEEK NEW LEADER

Hadley, MA – February 25, 2013- MotherWoman, the rapidly growing regional nonprofit, will begin its search this week for a new leader. After nearly three years as Executive Director, Beth Spong will complete her contract with the organization and return to consulting this summer. “MotherWoman has a hugely talented team and an outstanding board. We are strong and ready for new leadership. It has been a joy and an honor to serve as Executive Director,” said Spong.

Katie Zobel, President of the Community Foundation of Western MA, and a long time MotherWoman supporter says “Over the last few years, MotherWoman has evolved from a small grassroots organization into a well-respected nonprofit, getting regional and national recognition for their groundbreaking work. Their next talented leader will have the chance to build on this exceptional foundation and expand their work even further. I’m looking forward to seeing their next chapter unfold!"

In 2012 MotherWoman received the MA Nonprofit Network Excellence Award for Advocacy. Their highly regarded team trained over 1200 medical, mental health and social service professionals in Western MA, Boston, Las Vegas, New Jersey, Seattle, Washington, D.C. and Guatemala. In addition, Baystate Health awarded the organization a $50,000 grant to begin implementing their leading edge Community-based Perinatal Support Model at a Baystate Health Center in Springfield. The organization is well-positioned for future growth.

Carla Oleska, Executive Director of the Women’s Fund of Western MA offered these comments on the upcoming leadership transition, “MotherWoman has grown strategically over the last few years and is now an emerging national leader in the field of support for women and mothers. I’m so thrilled with the ongoing advancement of their mission and programs, and this leadership transition is the next step in MotherWoman’s continued success.” The organization has been a Women’s Fund grantee since 2007.

Spong, a partner in the well-respected fundraising and organizational development firm, RAINMAKER Consulting, began working as a consultant with MotherWoman in early 2008 and became Executive Director in 2010. During Spong’s tenure the organization has nearly quadrupled in size and its programs are serving tens of thousands more women and families in Western MA and beyond. Spong will step down this summer after her successor is chosen.

About MotherWoman:

MotherWoman serves mothers and families in all four counties of Western MA in three ways:

Supporting and Empowering Mothers through MotherWoman support groups and training community leaders and professionals to facilitate groups for mothers across the region.
Building Community Safety Nets for women and families struggling in the postpartum period by training medical, mental health and social service professionals about postpartum depression and anxiety. They also develop and lead county-based multi-disciplinary coalitions in implementing their nationally recognized Community-based Perinatal Support
Impacting Family Policy by engaging mothers, fathers and caregivers in taking action on policies that impact families.

For more information contact:
Beth Spong
office 413-387-0703
cell 413-320-2401
Beth@motherwoman.org

12/18/12 Local Mothers’ Organization Gathers Community for Grieving and Action

2013-01-24T21:53:56Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12 – 18 – 12

Contact:
Annette Cycon
413-387-0703
Annette@motherwoman.org

Local Mothers’ Organization Gathers Community for Grieving and Action

EVENT: Transforming Sorrow Into Action:
A Community Gathering of Solidarity, Support and Song

WHEN: Friday Dec 21, 2012
10 am – 11:30 am

WHERE: Edwards Church
297 Main St Northampton, MA

CONTACT PERSON: Annette Cycon, 413-387-0703, annette@motherwoman.org

In response to the devastating acts of violence which took the lives of 20 innocent children and their brave teachers and principal last Friday, MotherWoman, a local non-profit that supports mothers and families, invites the community to a gathering in which we can express our sorrow, hear from local clergy, find solace in music and take action on behalf of ending gun violence.

Internationally known recording artists, The Nields, and the local women’s choir, WINGS, will lead us in song. There will also be a call to action which will include an opportunity to join together in insisting that our legislators take a stand and lead us in developing a substantive plan to end gun violence in the U.S.

“As a mother I am grieving with the families who lost cherished children and loved ones. MotherWoman wants to bring the community together to share our feelings and transform our grief into action. We need to stop these senseless acts of violence. This is the MotherWoman way – to gather our community, share honest feelings, draw strength from each other, and take action to create change.” Annette Cycon, Founder of MotherWoman.

Rabbi Nancy Flam will offer a prayer. Other community organizations, such as Safe Passage, The Cooley Dickinson Midwifery Center, The Yoga Sanctuary and the Haydenville Congregational Church are also co-sponsoring this event. More will join in the coming days. This event is free and open to the public.

ABOUT MOTHERWOMAN

MotherWoman’s mission is to serve all mothers and families in Western MA by supporting and empowering mothers, building community safety nets and impacting family policy. Beth Spong, MotherWoman’s Executive Director, says “Through our support groups, training programs and political action, we’re working to ensure that every mother has access to the support she needs in her community.”

MotherWoman programs include:

· Mothers Groups - Led by trained facilitators, these support groups offer places to talk openly about the challenges of parenting, gain support and build community.

· Facilitator Training – A 25-hour training which provides diverse community leaders and professionals with the skills needed to offer new MotherWoman Support Groups.

· Community-based Perinatal Support Model – Creates a comprehensive safety net for mothers by building Coalitions of medical, mental health and social service professionals who serve mothers and families in the four counties of Western MA.

· Professional Training – Teaches medical and social service providers about the complex mental health and socio-political factors involved in the crisis of postpartum anxiety and depression.

· Policy and Advocacy – Nonpartisan advocacy program organizes mothers, fathers and caregivers to take action on policy issues impacting families.

10/17/12 Public Education Event: The Impact of Perinatal Mood Disorders (PMDs) on Mothers and the Necessity for Community Response

2012-10-05T13:44:16Z

Name of Event: Public Education Event: The Impact of Perinatal Mood Disorders (PMDs) on Mothers and the Necessity for Community Response

Date/Time: Wednesday, October 17, 5:30 -7:00 pm

Sponsoring Organization: Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention (BCSP)

Place: Brien Center First Floor Conference Room

333 East Street, Pittsfield, MA

Contact: Valerie Welts, BCSP Member, vmwelts@verizon.net

Description of Event:

The fourth event in the Public Education Series sponsored by the Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention will take place on Wednesday, October 17, 2012 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the Brien Center First Floor Conference Room, 333 East Street, Pittsfield, MA, with a brief reception for attendees at 5:15. The presenter of the evening’s talk will be Liz Friedman,Program Director of MotherWoman, Inc. and founder of the Postpartum Support Initiative. Discussion will follow her talk.

Postpartum depression is the leading complication of childbirth, with postpartum mood disorders (PMDs) impacting 10-20% of all mothers, and up to half of mothers in poverty.Perinatal mood disorders affect mothers' emotional and physical health as well as that of their children. "Although suicide is one of the leading causes of mortality for postpartum mothers in the baby’s first year of life, universal screening, education and treatment are not available to many mothers in Berkshire County," Friedman says.

The Berkshire County Perinatal Support Coalition (BCPSC) is working to change that, using a model developed by the MotherWoman organization and currently being implemented in Hampshire and Franklin Counties. The Coalition is putting primary steps in place to ensure that mothers receive needed care and treatment. Ms. Friedman will also talk about Postpartum Depression (PPD) legislation in the state, and next steps for the PPD Commission.

All events in the Public Education Series are free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome.

Description of organization: The mission of the Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention is to save lives. Together, we believe we can build resilience in our community, educate the public, and strengthen the response to community need. We are all volunteers from the health sector and law enforcement, educators and students, community organizers, social workers, mental health providers, policy makers, survivors of suicide loss, and concerned citizens.

1/12/12 Governor Patrick Appoints Local Leaders to State Commission on Postpartum Depression

2012-06-06T13:26:49Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1/12/2012

Contact:
Liz Friedman
413-658-8231
Liz@motherwoman.org

Governor Patrick Appoints Local Leaders to State
Commission on Postpartum Depression

When Governor Patrick created the MA Commission on Postpartum Depression (PPD), he wanted to ensure representation from western MA experts who work with mothers.

He appointed two area professionals, Liz Friedman, Program Director of MotherWoman and Donna L. O’Shea, MD, Medical Director of Health New England.

The Commission, co-chaired by Rep. Ellen Story (Amherst) and Senator Thomas M. McGee (Lynn), is charged with making recommendations to the Department of Public Health and the MA State Legislature on advancing best practices regarding PPD screening, treatment and public and professional education.

MotherWoman is a local non-profit serving Hampshire, Franklin, Berkshire and Hampden Counties. MotherWoman’s Community-based Perinatal Support Model (CPSM) is being implemented throughout the region and is being enthusiastically received by medical providers, mental health clinicians and mothers as an effective way to address the very critical issue of perinatal mood disorders. The nonprofit’s goal is to create a comprehensive safety net for all mothers who are experiencing postpartum depression or other perinatal emotional complications.

Ms. Friedman, one of the current appointees to the Commission, suffered a severe perinatal emotional crisis after the birth of her first child 9 years ago. Having received little help from her medical and mental health providers, she organized an active support community in Rhode Island for women with similar challenges, and went on to develop MotherWoman’s Perinatal Support Initiative.

According to Ms. Friedman, “It’s critical that we implement best practices across mental health, medical and early intervention systems in order to provide the essential care that mothers and families need to thrive during the early years of their children’s lives. When mothers thrive, children do better in every way. This is an important public health issue. ”

Dr. O’Shea, a Reproductive Endocrinologist, says, “As a provider of health care for women I have cared for many women with mild to severe postpartum depression and have seen their challenges in getting clinical help and family support. I hope this Commission will be successful in getting the Commonwealth health care system to expand the tools and treatments for recognition and treatment for its citizens with this diagnosis.”

For more information on the Commission or to schedule an interview on this subject, contact Rep. Ellen Story at Ellen.Story@mahouse.gov

ABOUT PPD: 10 – 25% of mothers experience postpartum depression (PPD). These numbers drastically increase when additional risk factors like poverty and teen pregnancy are taken into consideration. When undiagnosed and untreated, PPD can have severe negative effects on mother, infant and birth outcomes including low birth weight of infant, depression and anxiety for mother and developmental challenges to newborns. This results in increased medical expenses and visits to the ER as well as loss of income to families. In the four county region there are approximately 9000 births each year. There are a minimum of 900 – 2250 women suffering with PPD each year in our region alone.

ABOUT MOTHERWOMAN: MotherWoman’s mission is to support and empower mothers to create positive personal and social change for themselves, their families, their communities and the world. MotherWoman also addresses the socio-economic issues facing American mothers by advocating for family-friendly policy.

Beth Spong, MotherWoman’s Executive Director, says “Through our support groups, training programs and political action, we’re working to ensure that every mother has access to the support she needs in her community.”

MotherWoman programs include:

Mothers Groups
Postpartum Support Initiative
Facilitator Training
Professional Training
Policy and Advocacy

5/21/12 MotherWoman Selected as a 2012 Nonprofit Excellence Award Finalist

2012-06-06T13:24:56Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Adrienne Langlois, Communications Manager
Massachusetts Nonprofit Network
617-330-1188 x285, alanglois@massnonprofitnet.org

Beth Spong
413-253-8990, beth@motherwoman.org

MotherWoman Selected as a 2012 Nonprofit Excellence Award Finalist

The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network has announced that MotherWoman, a health & human services organization in Amherst, has been selected as a finalist for the 2012 Nonprofit Excellence Awards. The Excellence Awards are given each year to outstanding nonprofit organizations and professionals in the Commonwealth as part of MNN’s Nonprofit Awareness Day, a statewide holiday recognizing the nonprofit sector in Massachusetts.

MotherWoman has been selected as a finalist for the Nonprofit Excellence Award in Advocacy for its work in support of postpartum depression policies for all mothers in Massachusetts which resulted in the passage of the Postpartum Depression Legislation in 2010 and its current leadership in the effort to pass Earned Paid Sick Time (EPST) legislation in Massachusetts. Through advocacy trainings, programmatic models that can be replicated across the state, increased media exposure around the impact of social policies on mother’s maternal mental health as well as their economic realities and the mobilization of mothers, fathers, and children, MotherWoman not only effectively changed the way legislators view the needs of mothers in Massachusetts, but provided the most vulnerable members of societies – the infants of these mothers – with the guaranteed support they need in their critical months of development.

“Our communities would not be the same without the work of the extraordinary nonprofits in the Pioneer Valley, said Jeffrey Greim of Bay Path College. “Finalists like MotherWoman represent the best of an exceptional group of individuals and organizations serving the Commonwealth.”

Annette Cycon, Founder of MotherWoman, said, “It has been our commitment at MotherWoman to address the underlying issues that impact all mothers in our communities in order to truly support them in their ability to thrive. We are committed to educating our communities and elected officials on the impact of policies on families and advocating for policies that offer mothers true support.”

Excellence Award finalists and winners are nominated by community members and their peers and are selected by an independent panel of nonprofit leaders. This year, MNN received 122 Nonprofit Excellence Award nominations.

“Nonprofit Awareness Day was created to recognize the essential role that over 25,000 statewide nonprofits, with nearly a half million employees, play in our lives,” said Rick Jakious, CEO of the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network. “These finalists represent the very best of this critical sector.”

Nonprofit Excellence Award Finalists and winners will be celebrated at the 2012 Nonprofit Awareness Day celebration on the morning of June 11 at the Massachusetts State House. Governor Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray, and Speaker Robert DeLeo will all serve as Honorary Co-Chairs of the event and the event will be emceed by NECN Anchor Kristy Lee. For more information about Nonprofit Awareness Day and to register to attend, visit bit.ly/NPAD2012.

About the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network
The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN) is the voice of the entire nonprofit sector in Massachusetts. MNN was launched in 2007 to strengthen communities by serving nonprofit organizations through advocacy, public awareness and capacity building. MNN includes nearly 500 members, representing nonprofits in every part of Massachusetts, from the Berkshires to the Cape and Islands. For more information, visit www.massnonprofitnet.org.

3/6/12 Coalitions in Action: The Success of MotherWoman’s Community-Based Perinatal Support Model© Receiving National Attention

2012-03-06T15:30:50Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Liz Friedman
Office: (413) 253-8990
Liz@motherwoman.org

Coalitions in Action:
The Success of MotherWoman’s Community-Based Perinatal Support Model©
Receiving National Attention

FREE PRESENTATION on the
Community-Based Perinatal Support Model©,
Springfield, MA, Monday, March 12

The #1 complication of childbirth is depression and anxiety, affecting up to 1 in 8 mothers. Yet, mothers struggling with postpartum emotional complications often go unidentified and untreated. The Western Mass Perinatal Support Coalitions throughout the region are changing that.

The Maternal and Child Health Commission of Springfield will be hosting a FREE PRESENTATION on Monday March 12th on “The Community-Based Perinatal Support Model® –how regional coalitions are changing outcomes for mothers and babies.” The presentation will highlight the success of regional coalitions in addressing the critical issues of perinatal mood disorders.

Western Mass Perinatal Support Coalitions in Berkshire, Hampshire and Franklin are moving forward in providing access to care for mothers in significant ways. Through a focused approach and with strategic implementation, all three counties are making important steps in caring for new mothers when they experience postpartum depression, anxiety or other emotional complications during pregnancy or in the first year of their baby’s life. Hampden County is also making progress with the leadership of the Baystate Medical Center Task Force chaired by Cheryl Bonica.

The Franklin, Hampshire and Berkshire Coalitions are establishing resource and referral mechanisms so that mothers can find care, triage protocols and so that professionals know how to help mothers in crisis. They are also piloting perinatal emotional health screening projects so that all mothers can receive the education and additional treatment that they may require. Additionally, Coalitions provide education, information and integration of de-stigmatization around the issues of perinatal mood disorders for mothers. The Coalitions are committed to FREE support groups in each of these communities for mothers who are struggling with perinatal emotional complications, like depression and anxiety.

Clinical and Support Options is a key partner in all three counties. Karin Jeffers, CEO of CSO said, “Any woman struggling with depression or anxiety during pregnancy or their child's early years needs and deserves the right help quickly, without having to search,
and from those who understand and can make a difference.

“As a coalition, we are working together to be sure we see the signs early and offer help in a way that feels right, whether that is through a support group at the Family Center, or through individual support or treatment. As a coalition, we depend on one another to each hold a piece of the safety net for pregnant women and new parents.”

The success of the Coalitions in addressing mother’s mental health issues has been gathering state-wide and national attention. In early spring, Linda Jablonski, Assistant Nurse Manager at the BirthPlace, Franklin Baystate Medical Center, will be speaking to the Governor’s Commission on Postpartum Depression about the Franklin County Coalition’s success with promoting screening for perinatal emotional complications in the region.

Jablonski, Liz Friedman, Program Director of MotherWoman and Dr. Nancy Byatt, psychiatrist from UMass Worcester’s Women’s Mental Health Clinic, presented the Community-Based Perinatal Support Model© to the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs in Washington, D.C. in February.

One participant said, “Thank you for bringing us this model. Thank you for speaking about the work you are doing and your own experiences with perinatal emotional complications. You have empowered me to go home and change the way my community is looking at this issue.”
Regional partners include: ServiceNet, Clinical and Support Options, Franklin Baystate Medical Center, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, The Brien Center, Berkshire Medical Center, Hampshire OB/GYN, Northampton Area Pediatrics, Community Action, Community Health Partners, and many others.

FREE PRESENTATION

"The Community-Based Perinatal Support Model® – how regional coalitions are changing outcomes for mothers and babies"

Maternal and Child Health Commission of Springfield
Monday, March 12th,1pm – 2:30pm
Shriners Hospital, Carew Street, Springfield, MA

ABOUT MOTHERWOMAN

MotherWoman’s mission is to support and empower mothers to create positive personal and social change for themselves, their families, their communities and the world. MotherWoman also addresses the socio-economic issues facing American mothers by advocating for family-friendly policy.

MotherWoman programs include:

Mothers Groups - Led by trained facilitators, these support groups offer places to talk openly about the challenges of parenting, gain support and build community.
Postpartum Support Initiative – Creates a comprehensive safety net for mothers by building Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Coalitions of providers of service to mothers and families in the four counties of Western MA.
Facilitator Training – A 25-hour training which provides diverse community leaders and professionals with the skills needed to offer new MotherWoman Support Groups.
Professional Training – Teaches medical and social service providers about the complex mental health and socio-political factors involved in the crisis of postpartum anxiety and depression.
Policy and Advocacy – Nonpartisan advocacy program organizes mothers, fathers and caregivers to take action on policy issues impacting families.

6/13/11 Moms Get a Boost with $100,000 Grant to Regional Organization

2011-06-14T01:41:51Z

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Beth Spong – Executive Director, MotherWoman
beth@motherwoman.org
Office: (413) 253 8990

MOMS GET A BOOST WITH $100,000 GRANT TO
REGIONAL ORGANIZATION

MotherWoman – a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering mothers receives a major grant to help more mothers in the region create positive personal and social change.

Amherst, MA – If you are a mom or a professional serving mothers in Western Massachusetts, chances are, you have heard about MotherWoman. You may have benefited from its programs, or know of someone who received help and support from this regional nonprofit. Thanks to a recent $100,000 capacity building grant from the Lennox Foundation, MotherWoman will now be able to positively impact more moms and families, and expand its training programs for professionals.

“MotherWoman’s philosophy is simple: When a mother is valued and supported, everyone benefits - her children, her family, her community and her workplace,” says Founder, Annette Cycon.

Since its inception in 1999 MotherWoman has been able to positively impact the lives of thousands of women through a growing network of support groups. Its training programs have been very successful in educating medical, mental health and social service providers about the variety of challenges women may experience in the postpartum period.

A spokesperson for the Lennox Foundation described their decision to award this large grant by saying, "We were very impressed with the progress MotherWoman made two years ago with a much smaller capacity building grant. The high impact capacity building projects the grant is funding will make the organization more sustainable and increase the effectiveness of their important work. We're happy to support MotherWoman's continued growth."

Demand for MotherWoman’s groundbreaking support group facilitator training and other professional trainings continues to increase. The Lennox Foundation grant will help MotherWoman refine its strategy for growth and development. “MotherWoman is experiencing rapid growth in response to our programs’ effectiveness and our skill at coalition building. It is essential that we be strategic about our growth in order to better serve more mothers and families in need in Western MA. This generous grant from the Lennox Foundation will help us achieve that goal.” says Beth Spong, MotherWoman’s Executive Director.

If you are a mom looking for help during the postpartum period, or a professional wishing to learn more about postpartum emotional challenges, please contact MotherWoman or visit our website: www.motherwoman,org, circle@motherwoman.com, (413) 253 8990.

ABOUT MOTHERWOMAN, INC.
MotherWoman’s mission is to support and empower mothers to create positive personal and social change for themselves, their families, their communities and the world. MotherWoman also addresses the socio-economic issues facing American mothers by advocating for family-friendly policy. Says Beth Spong, MotherWoman’s Executive Director, “Through our support groups, training programs and political action, we’re working to ensure that every mother has access to the support she needs in her community.”

MotherWoman programs include:

Mothers Groups - Led by trained facilitators, these support groups offer a chance to talk openly about the challenges of parenting, gain support and build community.
Postpartum Support Initiative – Creates a comprehensive safety net for mothers through a network of specialized support groups, resource and referral guides, and building Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Coalitions in the four counties of Western MA.
Facilitator Training – A 35-hour training that provides diverse community leaders and professionals with the skills needed to offer new MotherWoman Support Groups.
Professional Training – Teaches medical and social service providers about the complex mental health and socio-political factors involved in the crisis of postpartum anxiety and depression.
Policy and Advocacy – Nonpartisan political program which organizes mothers, fathers and caregivers to take action on issues impacting families.

“MotherWoman’s philosophy is simple: When a mother is valued and supported, everyone benefits - her children, her family, her community and her workplace,” says Founder, Annette Cycon.

(413) 253 8990.

Mothers Groups - Led by trained facilitators, these support groups offer a chance to talk openly about the challenges of parenting, gain support and build community.
Postpartum Support Initiative – Creates a comprehensive safety net for mothers through a network of specialized support groups, resource and referral guides, and building Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Coalitions in the four counties of Western MA.
Facilitator Training – A 35-hour training that provides diverse community leaders and professionals with the skills needed to offer new MotherWoman Support Groups.
Professional Training – Teaches medical and social service providers about the complex mental health and socio-political factors involved in the crisis of postpartum anxiety and depression.
Policy and Advocacy – Nonpartisan political program which organizes mothers, fathers and caregivers to take action on issues impacting families.

6/13/11 Important Research Study on Postpartum Depression & Anxiety with Berkshire Mothers

2011-06-14T01:29:09Z

Barriers to Care Research Study

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

10am – 12pm

Pittsfield

To participate contact: research@motherwoman.org

5/2/11 Mother’s Day Music Video a Unique Gift To ALL Mothers

2011-05-02T12:29:00Z

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Beth Spong, Executive Director

Office: 413-253-8990

beth@motherwoman.org

Mother’s Day Music Video a Unique Gift To ALL Mothers

MotherWoman celebrates day with powerful music video, online sharing of your mom photo & stories

May 2, 2011. Amherst, MA – Looking for a truly unique way to honor the mothers in your life this Mother’s Day? Send a beautiful music video in celebration of mothers.

This celebration and fundraising opportunity is sponsored by MotherWoman, a nonprofit that supports and empowers mothers to create positive personal and social change for their families and communities.

MotherWoman partnered with internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter dynamos, The Nields to give you this original and powerfully moving music video which is guaranteed to brighten the day of mothers you love.

Nerissa and Katryna Nields

Your House Is Strong is an original song written by Nerissa and Katryna Nields (pictured left) especially for this video project. Nerissa Nields said “We were thrilled to be asked by MotherWoman to write a love song to mothers. What an amazing opportunity to sing the praises of mothers and raise awareness about MotherWoman’s important work.”

Beth Spong, MotherWoman’s Executive Director, says “This whole project has been a love fest. Working with The Nields and photographer Sarah Prall and artist Donna Estabrooks produced the beautiful tribute we hoped for. It was wonderful to engage our community by asking them what they treasure about the mothers in their lives and then photographing them to share that with the world. “

See the Your House is Strong video on motherwoman.org. For a donation of any size, you can download the mp3 of Your House is Strong.

ABOUT MOTHERWOMAN:

MotherWoman’s mission is to empower mothers to create positive personal and social change for themselves, their families, their communities and the world. MotherWoman also addresses the socio-economic issues facing American mothers, and advocates for family-friendly policy.

MotherWoman’s philosophy is simple: When mothers are valued and supported, they are more successful in all areas of their lives, benefiting children, families and communities. Everyone wins.

Says Beth Spong, MotherWoman Executive Director, “Through our professional trainings, support group facilitator trainings and political action, we’re working to ensure that every mother has access to the support she needs in her community. This is a unique and comprehensive model for strengthening the larger community by focusing on mothers. ”

MotherWoman offers numerous programs, including:

Mothers Groups - Led by trained facilitators, these support groups offer a chance to talk openly about the challenges of parenting, gain support and build community.
Postpartum Support Initiative – Addresses the crisis of postpartum emotional complications through a network of specialized support groups, professional training and Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Coalitions.
Facilitator Training – A 35-hour training program that provides diverse community leaders and professionals with the skills needed to offer new MotherWoman Support Groups.
Professional Training – Teaches medical and social service providers about the complex mental health and socio-political factors involved in the crisis of postpartum depression.
Political Advocacy – Nonpartisan political action dedicated to empowering parents to take action on social and economic issues, legislation, and policies that impact families.